Graduates celebrate in on-campus Commencement ceremonies

MAY 25, 2021 — UTSA has wrapped up two weekends of Commencement ceremonies celebrating the spring 2021, fall 2020 and spring 2020 classes featuring the fanfare and traditions of past years in smaller venues across Main Campus. This year’s Commencement ceremonies honored the 5,306 graduates of UTSA’s spring 2021 class and an additional 7,739 graduates of the spring and fall 2020 classes.

Graduates from all three cohorts received their degrees during 31 college-based ceremonies that were held at the Convocation Center, H-E-B Student Union Ballroom, Recreation Wellness Center and Retama Auditorium. Each event was the result of months of tireless efforts and teamwork by several departments across the university. In addition to attending the in-person ceremonies, family and friends were also able to join in the celebration through livestreams and a virtual ceremony for the spring 2021 class.

“(This) was especially meaningful and provided the opportunity for the UTSA community to come together after a difficult year.”

“I applaud the efforts of our Commencement committee, staff from Student Activities, Graduation Coordination, and the academic colleges to celebrate our 2020 and 2021 graduates,” said LT Robinson, senior vice provost for student affairs and dean of students. “Through the hard work of staff, faculty and volunteers, we ensured that our graduates and guests had a memorable experience to mark this important achievement.”

After the COVID-19 pandemic upended the 2020 in-person Commencement ceremonies and altered plans for this spring, the revised Commencement format made a lasting impression on many graduates and their loved ones. Some preferred the relative intimacy of the ceremonies while others enjoyed the abbreviated runtimes. Students and guests also showed their appreciation for the limited crowd sizes and social distancing measures at each event.

“I definitely appreciated the small in-person ceremonies. As a person of high risk, I wouldn't be able to participate in the graduation ceremony if it was held at the Alamodome regardless of any safety measures,” said Naomi Alyafei, a 2020 Goldwater Scholar and engineering graduate of the 2021 class. “Our ceremony was also quick, which was a nice change from the traditional ceremony that can get kind of long. Overall, this celebration was great and felt more special.”

Many Roadrunners echoed the sentiments of this month’s Commencement ceremonies feeling unique. Many liked that their Commencement ceremonies were held at the Main Campus, where most students spent so many hours learning, studying and establishing lasting relationships.

“Having the ceremonies on campus was especially meaningful and provided the opportunity for the UTSA community to come together after a difficult year,” Robinson said.

The ceremonies boasted all of the visually-thrilling traditions expected at a UTSA Commencement. Graduation caps were vividly decorated, colorful stoles and cords popped amongst the dark blue robes and mariachi performances provided a celebratory jubilance that was puro San Antonio.

#UTSAGrad21, what a week! Look back at all the fun we’ve had celebrating you. 🎓 🥳 https://t.co/723ymjGYBX #UTSA pic.twitter.com/lKJaTlTt7d

— UTSA (@UTSA) May 21, 2021

“Thank you, UTSA! It was a beautiful ceremony!” wrote Kimberly Mains Euresti on the university’s Facebook channel after the ceremony where she saw her son, Joseph Michael Euresti, earn his degree.

The Commencement Drive—a nostalgic parade of graduates around campus—kicked off the university’s Commencement festivities on Friday, May 14.

— Shea Conner